More than 250 gem, jewelry, and mineral companies are expected to exhibit, including the American Gem Trade Association.
Dominion Finds Buyer for Ekati, Mine to Reopen Early 2021
The company has reached a deal to sell the diamond mine to two wealth management firms and says it plans to restart the mine no later than Jan. 29.

London—Eight months after seeking insolvency protection, Dominion Diamond Mines ULC said it has reached a deal to sell its Ekati mine to two wealth management firms.
In a news release issued Monday, Dominion announced the sale of the diamond mine to DDJ Capital Management and Brigade Capital Management LP, both investment managers to holders of the company’s second lien notes.
Funds managed by DDJ Capital Management owned Samuels Jewelers for a period in the late ‘90s to the early 2000s, while Brigade was one of the firms that floated Barneys $218 million in debtor-in-possession financing while the now-defunct department store searched for a buyer.
The two companies will acquire substantially all of Dominion’s assets in exchange for taking on $70 million in debt.
The sale does not include Dominion’s 40 percent stake in Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine; Dominion and Rio Tinto are involved in a separate legal battle regarding their partnership in Diavik.
Once the deal is closed, Dominion said it expects the ongoing business to pay or otherwise satisfy: Dominion’s employees, including their pension obligations; governmental authorities, including the obligations to restore the land once Ekati closes for good; and Dominion’s Impact Benefit Agreement partners and other Indigenous groups and Northern communities.
The sale of the Ekati Diamond Mine is subject to closing conditions, including court approval.
The deadline for the deal to close is Feb. 1, and Dominion said it will “take all action reasonably necessary or appropriate” to restart operations at the mine no later than Jan. 29.
While most Ekati employees have been out of work since March, there has been a skeleton crew working while the mine has been on care and maintenance, and Dominion recalled 60 workers last month in anticipation of reopening.
When fully operational, Ekati employs more than 1,000 people, including 396 members of Canada’s Union of Northern Workers (UNW) Local 3050.
On Tuesday, UNW President Todd Parsons said the union was “pleased and relieved” Dominion found a buyer for the mine and that the deal includes protection for the mine’s workers and their pensions.
“As the union representing almost 400 Ekati workers, our main objective throughout this difficult time was seeing the mine succeed and reopen, both for long-term stable employment for our members and economic growth for the territory,” he said.
“This is welcome news, especially as we go into the holiday season, and we look forward
The diamond mine, which is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories about 120 miles south of the Arctic Circle, has been closed since mid-March.
Dominion was granted insolvency protection the following month, citing the disruption COVID-19 caused to the global diamond market.
An earlier deal to sell Ekati to affiliates of its current owner, The Washington Companies, fell through this fall over the objections of Dominion’s insurers.
The Latest

This year’s Design Atelier is full of gems.

They’re a testament to the power of excellent design.

The most trusted diamond report, available in print or the GIA App.

This year’s honorees include one of Florida’s largest independent jewelers and two multi-store independents in the Chicago and New York areas.


The industry’s most influential contemporary designers are showcasing their latest jewelry designs.

Created by Maitri Lab-Grown Diamonds and graded by IGI, it’s slightly bigger than the record-setting lab-grown diamond GIA just examined.

Navigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.

The marketing agency has integrated its first C-suite.

The jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.

Luxury kicks off today, with the full show in swing on Friday.

One of the three new collections was inspired by the legend of a woman who traded her mansion to Cartier for two strands of natural pearls.

Rob Ballew will be tasked with communicating the jewelry giant’s plans and financial performance to investors.

With the app, customers receive a 15-day insurance offer on new purchases while their coverage needs are being evaluated.

It is in House of Showfields, a bazaar-style retail space in the borough’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

From consumer trends to retail technology, these are the JCK Talks sessions that should be on attendees’ radar.

Signature pieces from Cartier and David Webb will appear in the June jewelry auction.

They will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.

Gemologists have long used machines in diamond grading but technology has made it possible for them to “learn” how to do it on their own.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by IGI

Watch retailers Jeffery Bolling and Bobby Bengivengo discuss employee training, customer education and the sticky subject of future value.

The company has plans to revamp the Movado brand and offer less expensive watches this year.

Set with a 118-carat unheated Sri Lankan sapphire, it just sold for $3.4 million at Phillips jewelry auction in Hong Kong.

Sponsored by Noam Carver

As cybercrime incidents threaten the industry, jewelers need to know what they’re up against and the best ways to protect their businesses.

The Pittsburgh jeweler is redoing the lighting and showcases, and adding a full hospitality bar as well as new shop-in-shops.

Zale has more than 40 years’ experience in the diamond industry, including 17 years as Stuller’s VP of diamonds and gemstones procurement.